Denver Native (Carol)
08-17-2009, 08:23 PM
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_13146456
BOULDER — A knee injury suffered Monday by Colorado freshman Nick Kasa will not keep the 6-foot-7, 260-pound defensive end off the field for the entire season, Buffaloes coach Dan Hawkins said.
CU spokesman David Plati called the injury a "sprained knee."
"He's got to get a little rehab, but he'll be alright," Hawkins said of Kasa, declining to elaborate on the nature or extent of the injury.
Asked about a timeframe for Kasa's return, Hawkins said: "(We) don't know that. Depends on how rehab comes."
Kasa was injured during Monday's morning practice during a pass-rushing drill when an offensive lineman unintentionally rolled into his left side. A former all-stater at Legacy High in Broomfield, Kasa initially gave an oral commitment to Florida but switched to Colorado about a month before signing day in February.
Kasa was not made available for interviews following the afternoon practice.
During his senior year of high school, Kasa earned four stars from Internet recruiting sites and was the consensus No. 1 prospect in the state ofColorado. Rivals.com ranked Kasa as the nation's No. 42 prospect for all positions. He was easily the top-rated signee in the Buffaloes" 2009 recruiting class, setting Legacy school records for career sacks (31 1/2) and tackles for losses (46).
During Thursday's intra scrimmage on Folsom Field, Kasa recorded five tackles, including a sack. Earlier this week, Hawkins told reporters that Kasa is among four true freshmen with the best chance to contribute early this season, along with wide receiver Will Jefferson and defensive linemen Nate Bonsu and Forrest West.
In recent years, Colorado seems almost jinxed with regard to its highest-profile signees.
Offensive guard Ryan Miller, a 2007 Parade All-American at Columbine, suffered a fractured fibula against Florida State last year and missed the final eight games of the 2008 season. Hawkins signed three Parade All-Americans last year, but tailback Darrell Scott (343 yards rushing) was slowed by injuries, linebacker Jon Major missed the 2008 season with a torn ACL suffered early in August camp and linebacker Lynn Katoa was suspended from playing last season after participating in an off-campus incident and subsequently left school.
At least it appears Kasa won't be lost for the year.
BOULDER — A knee injury suffered Monday by Colorado freshman Nick Kasa will not keep the 6-foot-7, 260-pound defensive end off the field for the entire season, Buffaloes coach Dan Hawkins said.
CU spokesman David Plati called the injury a "sprained knee."
"He's got to get a little rehab, but he'll be alright," Hawkins said of Kasa, declining to elaborate on the nature or extent of the injury.
Asked about a timeframe for Kasa's return, Hawkins said: "(We) don't know that. Depends on how rehab comes."
Kasa was injured during Monday's morning practice during a pass-rushing drill when an offensive lineman unintentionally rolled into his left side. A former all-stater at Legacy High in Broomfield, Kasa initially gave an oral commitment to Florida but switched to Colorado about a month before signing day in February.
Kasa was not made available for interviews following the afternoon practice.
During his senior year of high school, Kasa earned four stars from Internet recruiting sites and was the consensus No. 1 prospect in the state ofColorado. Rivals.com ranked Kasa as the nation's No. 42 prospect for all positions. He was easily the top-rated signee in the Buffaloes" 2009 recruiting class, setting Legacy school records for career sacks (31 1/2) and tackles for losses (46).
During Thursday's intra scrimmage on Folsom Field, Kasa recorded five tackles, including a sack. Earlier this week, Hawkins told reporters that Kasa is among four true freshmen with the best chance to contribute early this season, along with wide receiver Will Jefferson and defensive linemen Nate Bonsu and Forrest West.
In recent years, Colorado seems almost jinxed with regard to its highest-profile signees.
Offensive guard Ryan Miller, a 2007 Parade All-American at Columbine, suffered a fractured fibula against Florida State last year and missed the final eight games of the 2008 season. Hawkins signed three Parade All-Americans last year, but tailback Darrell Scott (343 yards rushing) was slowed by injuries, linebacker Jon Major missed the 2008 season with a torn ACL suffered early in August camp and linebacker Lynn Katoa was suspended from playing last season after participating in an off-campus incident and subsequently left school.
At least it appears Kasa won't be lost for the year.